Deaf Hill Primary and Nursery School
Sex and Relationship Education Policy
Headteacher: Mr Paul Newton
Chair of Governors: Mr Ian Harper
Deaf Hill Primary and Nursery School
Sex and Relationship Education Policy
Context/Introduction
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“All schools must have an up to date SRE policy which is made available for inspection and
to parents. The policy must:
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Define sex and relationship education;
Describe how sex and relationship education is provided and who is responsible for
providing it;
Say how sex and relationship education is monitored and evaluated;
Include information about parents’ right to withdrawal; and
Be reviewed regularly”
Sex and Relationship Education Guidance (DfEE 0116/2000)
Sex and relationship education is lifelong learning about physical, moral and emotional
development. It is about the understanding of the importance of loving and caring
relationships. It is about the teaching of sex, sexuality and sexual health.
Research demonstrates that good, comprehensive sex and relationship education does not
make young people more likely to become sexually active at a younger age.
Moral and Values Framework
Sex and relationship education will reflect the values of PSHE and Citizenship. SRE will be
taught in the context of relationships. In addition SRE will promote self esteem and emotional
health and well being and help them form and maintain worthwhile and satisfying
relationships, based on respect for themselves and for others, at home, school, work and in
the community.
Aims and Objectives for Sex and Relationship Education
The aim of SRE is to provide children with age appropriate information, explore attitudes and
values and develop skills in order to empower them to make positive decisions about their
health related behaviour. This should take place with consideration of the qualities of
relationships within families.
The objectives of Sex and Relationship Education are;
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To provide the knowledge and information to which all pupils are entitled
To clarify/reinforce existing knowledge
To raise pupils’ self esteem and confidence, especially in their relationships with
others;
To help pupils understand their sexual feelings and behaviour, so they can lead
fulfilling and enjoyable lives;
To help pupils’ develop skills (language, decision making, choice, assertiveness) and
make the most of their abilities.
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To provide the confidence to be participating members of society and to value
themselves and others;
To help gain access to information and support
To develop skills for a healthier safer lifestyle
To develop and use communication skills and assertiveness skills to cope with the
influences of their peers and the media
To respect and care for their bodies
To be prepared for puberty and adulthood
The teaching programme for Sex and Relationship Education
Legal requirements
All schools must teach the following as part of the National Curriculum Science Orders,
parents do not have the right to withdraw their child/children.
National Curriculum Science
Key Stage 1
1. b) that animals including humans, move, feed, grow, and use their senses and
reproduce
2. a) to recognise and compare the main external parts of the bodies of humans
and reproduce
b) that humans and animals can reproduce offspring and these grow into adults
3. a) to recognise similarities and differences between themselves and others and
4.
treat others with sensitivity.
Key Stage 2
1. a) that the life processes common to humans and other animals include nutrition,
growth and reproduction
2. f) about the main stages of the human life cycle
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Every child is entitled to receive SRE regardless of ethnicity, gender, religion, age,
culture, disability, sexuality, language specials needs, disadvantaged and looked after
children.
It is our intention all children have the opportunity to experience a programme of SRE
at a level which is appropriate for their age and physical development with
differentiated provision if required.
Such a programme can successfully follow the outline given below;
Foundation
Children learn about the concept of male and female and about young animals. In ongoing
PSHE work, they develop skills to form friendships and think about relationships with others.
Key Stage 1
Through work in science children learn about life cycles of some animals, understand the idea
of growing from young to old and learn that all living things reproduce. They learn about the
importance of personal hygiene to maintain good health. In RE and Citizenship children
reflect on family relationships, different family groups and friendship. They learn about rituals
and traditions associated with birth, marriage and death and talk about the emotions
involved. They begin to co-operate with others in work and play and begin to recognise the
range of human emotions and ways to deal with them. They also learn about personal safety.
Key Stage 2
In science children build on their knowledge of life cycles and learn about the basic biology of
human reproduction including birth of a baby on years 5 & 6. Children are taught about the
physical, emotional and social changes at puberty, which include personal hygiene. In RE and
Citizenship, they continue to develop an understanding of relationships within a family,
between friends and the community and that there are different patterns of friendship. They
will develop skills needed to form relationships and to respect other people’s emotions and
feelings. They will consider how to make simple choices and exercise some basic techniques
for resisting pressures. Sex and relationship education should focus on the development of
skills and attitudes not just the acquisition of knowledge.
The organisation of Sex and Relationship Education
Mr Newton is the designated teacher with responsibility for coordinating sex and relationship
education.
Sex and relationship education is delivered through science, RE, PSHE, Citizenship, literacy
activities and circle time. Sex and relationship education is taught by classroom teachers,
teaching assistants and, if appropriate, outside visitors such as the school nurse.
A range of teaching methods which involve children’s full participation are used to teach sex
and relationship education. These include use of video, discussion, looking at case studies,
drama and role play.
Sex and relationship education is usually delivered in mixed gender groups however, there
may be occasions where single gender groups are more appropriate and relevant.
Resources to teach sex and relationship education include fiction, reference books, leaflets
and extracts from videos.
(Sex and relationship education is monitored and evaluated by Mr Newton as part of the
school’s development plan. As a result of this process changes will be made to the sex and
relationship education programmes as appropriate.)
Specific Issues
Parental consultation
The school includes information on sex and relationship education in the school prospectus
and full details are available on request. The school informs parents when aspects of the sex
and relationship programme are taught and provides opportunities for parents to view the
videos and resources being used. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from
those aspects of sex and relationship education, not included in the National Curriculum,
alternative work would be set. However this rarely happens, by working in partnership with
parents they recognise the importance of this aspect of their child’s education.
Child Protection / Confidentiality
Teachers need to be aware that effective sex and relationship education, which brings an
understanding of what is and is not acceptable in a relationship, may lead to disclosure of a
child protection issue. The staff member will inform the Head Teacher /Designated Child
Protection person in line with the LEA procedures for child protection. A member of staff
cannot promise confidentiality if concerns exist.
Dealing with difficult questions
Ground rules are essential to provide an agreed structure to answering sensitive or difficult
questions. This framework facilitates the use of an anonymous question box as a distancing
technique. Teachers will endeavour to answer questions as honestly as possible but if faced
with a question they do not feel comfortable answering within the classroom, provision would
be made to meet the individual child’s needs.
Use of visitors
“Visitors should complement but never substitute or replace planned provision. It is the PSHE
co-ordinator’s and teacher’s responsibility to plan the curriculum and lessons.” Sex and
Relationship Guidance DfEE 0116/2000 P 29 6.11
When appropriate, visitors such as the school nurse may be involved in the delivery of sex and
relationship education, particularly in Key Stage 2.
Children with special needs
Teaching and resources will be differentiated as appropriate to address the needs of these
children in order for them to have full access to the content of sex and relationship education.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Monitoring is the responsibility of the head teacher, Joanne Carr (governor) and Mrs
McCulloch with responsibility for sex and relationship education. The school will assess the
effectiveness of the aims, content and methods in promoting students’ learning by lesson
observation, sampling teachers planning, questionnaires to teachers and children and
feedback from parents.
The effectiveness of the SRE programme will be evaluated by assessing children’s learning and
implementing change if required.
This policy document is placed on the website following approval by the full governing body.
SRE issues will be included in the induction programme for all new members of staff.
Date: January 2014
Approved by Governors: